What could this be?

[Rob_B]

Chalky has had this next to his beak (little skin coloured lump) since we've had him, it doesnt bother him & doesn't grow, it looks a bit like dry skin or something but we'd just like to know what it is? Any ideas?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/rob_b/DSC00468.jpg

[Mistyoriline]

Sorry to be the one to tell you this but it looks like the begining of mites...if there are more budgies around?they should be seperated....YOu should get your budgie to the vet or if you can't get some drops from the pet store and you will need to sanitize the cage and everything in it:(

[Amy]

Hmm, I'm stumped.

[Budgiekin]

I'm with Mistyoriline on this one; it looks like the beginning of mites. I would bring your budgie to an avian vet as soon as you can. If left untreated, mites can cause beak deformities and result in the need for beak trims for life. If you are looking for an avian vet, you may wish to try searching here:

http://www.aav.org/vet-lookup/

I highly recommend that you don't try to treat this yourself with those meds you can get in pet stores. The treatment that would be given is called ivermectin and can be toxic to your budgie if the dose is not carefully calcualated based on his weight.

Fortunately, of all the medical conditions that can be treated, this is not an overly expensive one to treat. I have had two budgies with mites (at completely different times), and the treatment does not wreck havoc on your pocketbook like many other things.

Please keep us up to date with your sweetie.

[Joey]

Rob B could you get a closer picture I think it is scaly face.You could just buy drops from the pet store its a really common problem in budgies and it will infect other budgies too. Is there this chalky stuff on his feet and toes too?

[bluebird]

agree looks like mites,it doesnt look scaby/crusty to be scaly face. A trip to the vets will clarify it for you. good luck

[Bea]

Could it be a wart or a skin tab? How long have you had him, if it's been a long time and it hasn't spread i would think mites unlikely but you should still see a vet. :)

btw, Chalky's a female not a male. ;)

[Rob_B]

He (she) is quite young, we've had him (her) since 7th March & its never changed. Thought you couldn't tell the sex until they were a little older? We've got used to calling him him anyway!

Possibly better pics below.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/rob_b/chalky2.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/rob_b/chalky1.jpg

[Bea]

100% female. :) She's very pretty. Are you going to get the growth checked by an avian vet?

[Amy]

Lol, her cere looks just like Lily's was when we first got her, they're twins!
Lily's cere is brown now.

[Rob_B]

Thanks for everyones answers, we will probably end up taking him/her for a checkup if anything changes.

Chalky's cere is actually slightly blue but that doesnt show in the pctures for some reason! you can just see it below the nostrils. For now we have a transvestite budgie!

[Mistyoriline]

lol I still think he has mites and waiting for more change to happen can really hurt him what if it is a tumor or growth....not trying to be harsh here but just don't want anything to happen to the little fellow:)

[Amy]

I'd get him checked out by a vet.

[Rob_B]

We will definatly take him to a vet asap, id only feel guilty if it got worse. Il have to find out where the nearest one is as we live in Scotland. :confused:

[Bea]

Chalky's cere is actually slightly blue
That confirms that she's female. Pale blue in young budgies is a sign of a female, as is all the white. :) Another thing is that albinos are much more common as female. To get a male albino both parents have to be albino or the mum albino with a slpit to albino daddy. This is obviously much less common. :P

[Rob_B]

Cheers bea ;) Im sure you know best. il keep you updated on hoe he gets on at vets :)

[Crystal_Dawn]

yup its a girl :)

that growth doesn't really look like mites to me... i think bea was right with the wart suggestion. definatley time for a vet either way. good luck :) i hope shes ok!

[Rob_B]

Just to update you... we are taking chalky to a vet but there are no avian vets in our area :( Am i sounding really stupid here but how do we get her there? do we take her in a little box or something cos i think that might traumatise her!! :S

[Amy]

When I bought my budgies I was given them in a box, so I guess you could use one of those?

[Rob_B]

yea but isn't that cruel? When she was put in one of those boxes to bring her home she didnt move in her cage for days :(

[Amy]

How big was it, and did it have air-holes?

[Rob_B]

The pet shop provided it, It was about 10cm X 5cm. and yea it had holes on top.

[Amy]

That is the same measurements as mine, and I think they are too small. What shop did you get it from?

[Bea]

The fact that she didn't move would be because of the stress of moving rather than being in the box. :) A small dark box with airholes is a good way to transport a budgie cause it keeps them calm. You can just take her in her cage though, that's what i do with Blinks and Oz.

[Rob_B]

Thanx, Yea i think il just take her in her cage with its cover over it :D

[Bea]

Be sure to remove all hanging toys, you don't want Chalky to get knocked out by a swing. :P

[Amy]

Chalky: Eeeh! My swing it's hurt my wing! Oh well at least I'm going to the vets!

[Rob_B]

Just to let everyone know we were keeping an eye on chalkys beak whilst we looked for an avian vet (there aint really any near us!) but it seems to hav fallen off!!!!? I personally thought it was shrinking but its totally gone now.... here is a pic of the gorgeous chalky minus her scab!!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/rob_b/DSC00552.jpg

[Enna]

Thats great and is that a sand paper perch cover. I;d remove that

[Rob_B]

Yea it is, why?